BIO:  Jacob G. Bortner, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/
_______________________________________________ 

History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
_______________________________________________ 

Part II, Biographical Sketches, Shrewsbury Township, Pg 170

JACOB G. BORTNER is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Garbeck) Bortner, of Codorus Township, where 
our subject was born November 23, 1826.  He was reared on his father’s farm, and after learning 
his trade, at Krouse tannery, Maryland, married March 10, 1852, Matilda Messomer, daughter of 
Daniel and Christine (Reitz) Messomer, of Manheim Township; this marriage has been blessed with 
seven children:  Castila A.; Syrian P.; Josephine A.; Levina H., deceased; Catherine A.; Alvan 
J., deceased; and Matilda H.  He built his tannery in 1851, and has kept it running at its full 
capacity ever since, employing on an average ten to twelve hands.  Mr. Bortner manufactures (in 
connection with his tanning) flavine and extract of black oak bark.  He built his present 
residence in 1852.  Mr. Bortner is one of the leading business men of Shrewsbury Township.